THE LOWDOWN: Drivers will get an opportunity to use a few of the skills they developed last week now that the series leaves the winding road course in California for the Magic Mile in New Hampshire. This course requires heavy braking and sharp turns, but as an oval the drivers will be back in their comfort zone. Teams in the top 12 in points are also aware that this is the first great test for the Chase, which is only 10 weeks away and will start on this very track.

Momentum is a remarkable thing. With an average finish of 18th in six previous road course races, Busch was not counted among the favorites last week at Infineon and when he qualified 30th, he certainly did not improve his odds. He got track position early in the race by having the right pit strategy, but he was able to hold the top spot by virtue of speed. Love him or hate him, Busch may very well be the best-rounded driver in the field at the moment.

1. Kyle Busch
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 14.7 in six starts

It really doesn't matter what Busch's past record is on any given track; he has to be a favorite every week until he cools off. Half of his New Hampshire races ended outside the top 10, but he won in 2006.

2. Jeff Burton
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 10.3 in six starts

Burton was not a factor during most of the Toyota / SaveMart 350k, but when the checkers waved he was cruising along in 13th to record his 22nd consecutive top-15 finish.

3. Dale Earnhardt Jr.
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 15.0 in six starts

A fourth in this race last year allowed Earnhardt to make a run at Chase contention. He was ultimately unsuccessful in 2007, but there isn't any doubt about him making the playoffs this year.

4. Carl Edwards
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 12.7 in six starts

Edwards seems to be taking a page out of teammate Matt Kenseth's book. Five of his last seven races in 2008 have ended in results of seventh or ninth and that is keeping him in contention for the Chase.

5. Jimmie Johnson
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 13.3 in six starts

Johnson swept victory lane at New Hampshire in 2003, but he has only one more top-five on this course. His fans shouldn't be too concerned, however; every other result except one has been a top-15.

6. Jeff Gordon
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 10.2 in six starts

Gordon's woes continue. After back-to-back finishes outside the top 10, he struggled all day at Infineon despite a third-place result. Loudon may provide some relief since he was second in both 2007 races.

7. Greg Biffle
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 11.7 in six starts

Five of Biffle's last six New Hampshire races have ended in top-15 results and when he was at his best he logged three straight top-fives. Lately, he's been near the top of his game, so expect another.

8. Denny Hamlin
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 6.5 in four starts

Hamlin is a flat track master who won this race last year. He was virtually unstoppable on the Magic Mile until he finished 15th in last fall's Sylvania 300, but that was his first result there worse than sixth.

9. Kasey Kahne
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 18.8 in six starts

Kahne's pole last week surprised the field, but he was not expected to run very strong and his finish of 33rd was not a shock. With two wins and a second in four races prior, however, he should bounce back.

10. Clint Bowyer
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 22.3 in four starts

Bowyer qualified for last year's Chase without a single victory to his credit, which had the media's tongues wagging. He shut them up in short order with a perfect race and a victory at Loudon last fall.

11. Tony Stewart
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 9.5 in six starts

Stewart overcame a dismal qualification last week at Infineon and was challenging for the lead, when his second-place car was sent spinning by a driver running fifth. You've gotta love road racing.

12. Matt Kenseth
Career average finish at New Hampshire: 8.8 in six starts

Kenseth fell out of the top 12 in points following his 30th-place finish at Martinsville in week six and he's been as low as 22nd, but six consecutive top-10s allowed him to claw back into Chase contention.